Dr. Jean-Marc LEMAITRE | Cellular Senescence Aging | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jean-Marc LEMAITRE, INSERM UMR1183, France

Jean-Marc Lemaitre is a French biomedical researcher internationally renowned for his groundbreaking work on cellular reprogramming and aging reversal. Born on October 14, 1963, he is currently based at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapies (IRMB) in Montpellier, where he serves as co-director. His work has transformed the understanding of how aged cells can be rejuvenated, offering new hope for regenerative therapies. With a strong academic and clinical research background, Lemaitre has authored over 100 scientific articles and books on senescence, stem cells, and epigenetics. He is a board member of several scientific societies and journals, and continues to drive research at the frontier of aging science. Lemaitre is also a public science communicator and author, helping bridge cutting-edge biology with societal challenges related to aging. His passion for improving human health through innovative science places him at the forefront of biomedical research in France and globally.

Publication Profile:

Orcid

Google Scholar

Strengths for the Award:

1. Pioneering Work in Aging Reversal
   Lemaitre was among the first scientists to show that senescent human cells can be rejuvenated, contributing significantly to cellular reprogramming and epigenetic longevity science.

2. High-Impact Publications & Scientific Output
   Authored or co-authored over 100 scientific works, including in Nature Aging, Molecular Cell, Scientific Reports, and PNAS. His studies are cited globally in aging, regenerative medicine, and stem cell therapy.

3. Institutional Leadership
   As Co-Director and Co-founder of IRMB, he manages a research institute with 180+ staff, positioning him as a key scientific leader in France.

4. Scientific Recognition
   Member of scientific editorial boards and committees (e.g., Cells journal, Ligue Contre le Cancer), and board member of FSSCR, reflecting sustained leadership in the stem cell field.

5. Translational & Interdisciplinary Impact
   His research has led to clinical insights in dermatology, osteoarthritis, and cardiology, demonstrating broad biomedical relevance beyond aging biology.

6. Public Engagement and Science Communication
   Author of books like “Guérir la Vieillesse” and “Décider de son âge”, he bridges scientific knowledge with public interest in health and longevity.

Areas for Improvement:

1. Expanded International Collaborations
   While Lemaitre collaborates across disciplines, further integration into global consortia or partnerships with biotech/pharma could amplify the translational value of his work.

2. Visibility in Policy or Global Aging Initiatives
   Participation in policy advisory boards or international aging panels (e.g., WHO, UN Decade of Healthy Aging) would enhance his influence in shaping public health approaches to aging.

3. Startups or Technology Transfer
   Commercialization of his discoveries (e.g., senescence therapies or reprogramming protocols) through startups or IP licensing would elevate his impact on innovation and real-world application.

Education:

Jean-Marc Lemaitre’s academic journey is rooted in molecular and developmental biology. He earned his DEA (Diplôme d’Études Approfondies) in Developmental Biology from Paris 6 University in 1991. His Doctorate (PhD) followed in 1995 from Paris 7 University, with research conducted at the esteemed Institut Jacques Monod in molecular and cellular biology. His early focus on the fundamental processes of cell development laid the groundwork for his future expertise in aging and regenerative medicine. In 2005, Lemaitre earned his Habilitation to Direct Research (HDR) from Montpellier University Medical School, a prestigious credential that allowed him to lead independent research projects. His educational path reflects a consistent and deep engagement with life sciences and a strong commitment to academic excellence. These milestones set the foundation for his leading role in cellular reprogramming and senescence-related research at both national and international levels.

Experience:

Jean-Marc Lemaitre has amassed over 30 years of professional experience in biomedical research, with a major focus on aging, senescence, and regenerative medicine. Since 2015, he has served as Co-Director and Cofounder of the IRMB (Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapies), which now houses over 180 researchers. His professional base is at the Saint Eloi Hospital in Montpellier, where he contributes both to translational research and clinical collaborations. Between 2014 and 2018, he held a Contrat d’Interface at CHU Montpellier, strengthening ties between research and healthcare. His pioneering work in cellular reprogramming earned international acclaim for demonstrating that senescent human cells could be rejuvenated using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology. Lemaitre also plays leadership roles in research consortia such as the FHU REGENHAB and is an elected member of scientific committees, including the LIGUE Contre le Cancer du Septentrion. His experience is both deep and influential in shaping modern aging research.

Awards and Honors:

Jean-Marc Lemaitre has been recognized multiple times for his leadership and innovation in biomedical science. He was elected to the Scientific Committee of the LIGUE Contre le Cancer du Septentrion in 2019, reflecting his growing influence in translational medicine. In 2015, he co-founded and became Co-Director of IRMB, an institute now pivotal in stem cell and regenerative therapies. From 2014 to 2018, he was awarded a Contrat d’Interface at CHU Montpellier, enhancing integration between research and clinical practice. His work has also earned him positions on international editorial boards, including the “Cells” journal since 2020. In 2007, he co-founded and became a board member of the French Society for Stem Cell Research (FSSCR). These honors reflect not only the quality of his scientific contributions but also his dedication to mentorship, institution-building, and public engagement in science. He remains a key figure in aging and regenerative medicine globally.

Research Focus:

Jean-Marc Lemaitre’s research centers on cellular aging, senescence, and regenerative medicine. He is internationally renowned for demonstrating that aged or senescent human cells can be reprogrammed back to a pluripotent state—effectively reversing aging markers. His team has been at the forefront of identifying epigenetic mechanisms involved in aging and developing short reprogramming protocols to extend healthspan. He works extensively on senotherapeutics—interventions targeting the senescent cells that drive aging and disease—and has published seminal studies on skin aging, musculoskeletal regeneration, and systemic rejuvenation. Lemaitre is also a thought leader in developing blood-based epigenetic clocks to monitor aging and predict mortality. His integrative approach blends molecular biology, stem cell science, and translational medicine to uncover ways to slow or reverse aging processes. His work opens promising therapeutic avenues for treating age-related diseases, improving healthspan, and potentially redefining biological age through cellular reprogramming technologies.

Publications Top Notes:

1. Disc-Derived iPSCs and Environmental Cues for Nucleus Pulposus Regeneration (Tissue Eng Part A, 2025)

2. Blood-Based Epigenetic Clock for Intrinsic Capacity and Mortality (Nat Aging, 2025)

3. Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid for Skin Aging: Clinical Correlation (Sci Rep, 2024)

4. Décider de son âge (Book, 2024 – Allary Editions)

5. Therapeutic Approaches Targeting Senescent Cells (Cells, 2023)

6. Guérir la Vieillesse (Book, 2022 – Humensciences)

7. Single Short Reprogramming Increases Healthspan (Aging, 2022)

8. Epigenetic Mechanism Linking Early Reprogramming to Lifespan (Aging Cell, 2022)

9. DNMT1-Driven 4D Genome Rewiring in Senescence (Molecular Cell, 2020)

10. DNA Replication Timing as Marker in Progeroid Diseases (PNAS, 2017)

Conclusion:

Jean-Marc Lemaitre is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. He combines groundbreaking research in cellular aging and epigenetics with institutional leadership and public engagement. His work has transformed the understanding of biological aging, making him one of the most influential biomedical scientists in Europe in this domain. The award would not only recognize his scientific excellence but also highlight the increasing importance of healthy aging, regenerative medicine, and cellular rejuvenation in modern medicine.